Caseworker

CHD Careers • West Springfield, MA

10h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Human Development (CHD) is seeking a Caseworker to join our DCF Transition to Independent Living Program (TILP), which provides placement and casework support to youth aged 17-22 who are aging out of foster care. This position requires on-call rotation for evenings and weekends. The program utilizes unstaffed placements in agency-leased community apartments throughout Western Massachusetts, offering young people opportunities to practice skills, explore, and gain insight into independent living. The Caseworker role is dynamic and multifaceted, requiring professional skills and direct service with hands-on outreach work. The goal of casework is to increase young people's safety, stability, well-being, and self-sufficiency for independent living. The Caseworker will assist with placing, supporting, and supervising referred youth in scattered site community apartments.

Requirements

• Associates or Bachelors Degree preferred
• Ideal candidate will have a passion for working with people, particularly youth/teenagers
• Previous caseload and outreach experience preferred
• Knowledge of life coach responsibilities, experience preferred
• Must have a vehicle for work use and current driver's license
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates preferred

Responsibilities

• Interview and screen young adult referrals
• Complete formal processes of intake, assessments of skills and safety, treatment plan development and progress reviews
• Utilize multiple databases for documentation
• Maintain organized and thorough documentation with adherence to timelines
• Develop positive rapport with youth
• Develop appropriate goals for youth growth based on assessments and support those goals through specifically identified tasks
• Participate in all moving in and out activities including seeking and securing rentals, furnishing and moving of belongings, cleaning and maintenance or facilitation of maintenance of properties as needed
• Shop for and prepare apartments for youth move-in
• Maintain a regular schedule of contact with clients and weekly viewing of placements
• Attend weekly team review meetings and participate in regular supervision
• Collaborate with DCF funding source to form a supportive team and inform on youth progress
• Attend virtual and in-person meetings for case coordination and reviews
• Counsel, support, and coach from a perspective of positive youth development with an understanding of trauma-informed interactions
• Transport clients in matters related to service delivery (e.g., medical/counseling appointments, school, outside agencies, court appearances, etc.)
• Assist with seeking and facilitate participation in employment, job training opportunities, and educational programming
• Maintain knowledge of community resources for services and housing
• Provide direct instruction of independent living curriculums/modules
• Assist clients with budgeting and shopping for food weekly
• Conduct both announced and unannounced visits to apartment sites
• Identify unaddressed client needs and collaborate with funding source and community resources to assist the youth in meeting them (i.e., medical, mental health, financial, skill development, parenting needs)
• Facilitate transitional planning for discharge
• Monitor for client contract compliance
• Participate in schedule of on-call coverage

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Earned vacation time
• Paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree